Seattle Weekly: A Connoisseur’s Guide to Seattle’s Best Tea Shops

This is a wonderful article about Seattle's tea scene, focusing on some of our more specialized tea shops and personalities.

A Connoisseur’s Guide to Seattle’s Best Tea Shops

Kabuki-za To Reopen

Great news for Kabuki fans!  Shochiku has announced that the new Kabuki-za Theatre will reopen April 2nd.

During my last trip to Japan, I went to a performance at Kabuki-za and they had large countdown clocks outside the theatre.  How perfect that my next trip to Japan will be the year it reopens?

Tamasaburo Bando Nominated for Living National Treasure

Kabuki actor Tamasaburo Bando V has been nominated as a living national treasure by the Council for Cultural Affairs.

This is wonderful news for Tamasaburo fans like myself!  Now to await the culture minister's decision...

Oakland Teenager Sings Chinese Opera

Tyler Thompson, a teenager from Oakland, California, has been learning to sing in Chinese for a decade and performs Chinese Opera in perfect-pitch.
Source: Seattle PI: Teen crosses cultural lines, sings Chinese opera

Aside from the Asian Theatre Program at the University of Hawaii, opportunities to study and perform asian theatrical arts are unfortunately rare.

Having the ability, the interest, and the drive to learn a classical form of theatre like Chinese Opera is incredibly impressive. I have nothing but respect for Tyler and I do hope I can see him perform some day.

Kabuki Actor Tamasaburo Bando V 27th Annual Kyoto Prize Laureate

World-renowned Kabuki actor, Tamasaburo Bando, will receive the 27th Annual Kyoto Prize for Arts and Philosophy on November 10, 2011 for his unique work inside the world of Kabuki as well as his contributions to other performing arts.

Website: Kyoto Symposium Organization

Kabuki Actor Matagoro Nakamura Dies At Age 94

Kabuki actor and National Living Treasure, Matagoro Nakamura died of natural causes on Saturday, March 21st at the age of 94.

Born in 1913, Nakamura was the son of a Kabuki actor and had his own debut on stage in 1921. In addition to performing Kabuki, he acted on screen and dedicated himself to teaching young Kabuki actors as well as lecturing overseas to raise awareness of the traditional art form. He had the grace and skills to take on almost any role in Kabuki, specializing in supporting roles. In 1997, he was named a Living National Treasure.

Website: The Japan Times

Kabuki-za Prepares for a Year-Long Farewell

170 Kabuki performers, ranging in age from 7 to 94 appeared together on stage on Friday at Kabuki-za Theatre in Ginza, Tokyo to commemorate the start of a year-long series of memorial performances for the theatres impending demolition. The last presentation of this kind was in 1994 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Shochiku Co.

The memorial performances began on Saturday and will run through April 2010.

Source:
The Mainichi Daily News (English)
Mainichi News (Japanese)

Kabuki-za Theatre to be Demolished

Sad news! Kabuki-za Theatre in Ginza, Tokyo is scheduled to be demolished. The original Kabuki-za was built in 1889. It has been rebuilt on several occasions, due to earthquake and air raid damage. The latest incarnation was built in 1951.

Shochiku Co. Ltd says they made the decision because improvements, include retrofitting for earthquakes, fire-proofing, and adding accessibility for those with disabilities would be too costly. This point is arguable, but it is unlikely that the demolition will be called off.

Kabuki-za will close April 2010 and is tentatively scheduled to re-open in 2013. Details on the closure will be announced January 2009.

Sources:
Nippon Sekai
BBC

I attended my first Kabuki performance at Kabuki-za in 2002. Acts included Oniji Hyoshimai, a Kojo for the naming of Shoroku III, Funa Benkai (my favorite dramatic Kabuki play), and Sakanya Sogoro. Since then, I was unable to attend another performance until 2008 which included Kotobuki Soga no Taimen (one of the Soga Brothers plays), a Kojo for the death anniversary of renowned actor Matsumoto Hakuo, Ichinotani Futaba Gunki, and Shunkyo Kagami Jishi (another favorite). In light of the impending closure, I will definitely plan to see a performance in October and perhaps again in early 2010. I sincerely hope that Shochiku will keep the classic architectural style, rather than going with the cold, modern style seen everywhere else in Ginza.